UK Launches Review Into Self-Driving Vehicles Laws

The UK Government has launched a three-year review into driving laws in preparation for self-driving vehicles.

With the detailed review, the government plans to make sure that the UK remains one of the best places in the world to develop, test and drive self-driving vehicles.

The research will be undertaken by the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission, and led by Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

It will investigate how existing driving laws can support the next generation of vehicles and check whether there are any legal obstacles for the introduction of self-driving vehicles as well as highlight the need for regulatory reforms.

Subjects to be investigated include who will be classed as the driver of or responsible person for an autonomous car, and how to allocate criminal and civil responsibility in case of some shared control in a human-machine interface.

Other areas being examined include whether new criminal offences are required to cope with novel types of conduct and interference and what is the impact on other road users and how they can be protected from risk.

The review will also examine the role of automated vehicles within public transport networks and emerging platforms for on-demand passenger transport, car sharing and new business models offering mobility as a service.

UK Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “The UK is a world leader for self-driving vehicle research and development, and this work marks an important milestone in our continued commitment to the technology.

“With driving technology advancing at an unprecedented rate, it is important that our laws and regulations keep pace so that the UK can remain one of the world leaders in this field.”

Last month, the UK government stated that will provide more than £22m in funding for 22 research and development projects for the development of self-driving vehicles. The funds are aimed at the development of innovative uses of the technology.

So far, the government has invested £120m and has pledged to invest more than £1bn in the development of autonomous vehicles in difficult and hostile environments.